Jacobin Radio
Confronting Capitalism: Socialism in the 21st Century
Dec 18, 2024
Vivek Chibber, an NYU sociology professor and editor of Catalyst Journal, dives into the evolution of socialist politics in contemporary America. He distinguishes between social democracy and socialism, while reflecting on the Bernie Sanders movement's impact. Chibber emphasizes the need for a cohesive leftist agenda focused on real economic issues, critiques capitalism’s role in perpetuating inequality, and highlights the importance of labor movements in shaping social welfare. His insights provide a roadmap for the Left moving forward.
41:48
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Quick takeaways
- Vivek Chibber emphasizes the need to differentiate between social democracy and socialism, highlighting how welfare policies stem from anti-capitalist motivations.
- The podcast stresses the importance of building organized working-class power and a strong labor movement to effectively challenge capitalism's dominance.
Deep dives
The Origins of Socialism
A key insight relates to the speaker’s early influences that shaped his socialist beliefs. Growing up in a socialist environment in India, he was exposed to discussions about politics and strategy from a young age, which fostered his interest in socialist ideas. His formative experiences were characterized by a vibrant leftist culture, contrasting sharply with the perceived moroseness of leftist movements he encountered later in the United States. This background not only nurtured his commitment to socialism but also shaped his understanding of its importance as a means to address social inequalities.
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